Now children get their own deodorant 'Keep It Kind' range

Youngsters will have no
excuses for not smelling
lovely thanks to Michael and
Roberta Harris, who have
launched deodorants for eight
to 14-year-olds.

Roberta, 62, says: ‘Many
people we knew were worried
that their children began to
smell as hormones kicked in.
This odour is purely bacterial
so we developed products to
tackle this while allowing
children to sweat naturally.’

The couple, who have a
nine-year-old granddaughter,
Emma, used Michael’s
experience as a chemist to
develop the Keep It Kind
range, which is alcohol and
paraben-free and suitable for
younger, sensitive skin.

Fresh start: Michael and Roberta Harris with their granddaughter Emma

Despite successful trials,
the banks turned them down
flat when they asked for
funding. Michael, 66, says:
‘Every bank told us they don’t
fund new products. They
were just not interested.’

So the couple, from Hemel
Hempstead, Hertfordshire,
contacted accountant Shelley
Stock Hutters, which helped
them to get finance in return
for equity in the business.

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Bobby Lane, partner at SSH,
says innovation and a sound
business model ‘may not be
enough to convince the banks
to lend’ but urges firms not to
give up. He says: ‘Keep It
Kind is a great example of
why it’s so vital to keep going,
even when you get rejected,
as well as being flexible with
your business model.’

The range – Fresh Kidz,
Missy and Blast – will be
launched in 600 major Boots